*Please note -- Cuora
galbinifrons ssp has been split into three distinct species,
people researching these species should conduct searches on both the older
versions of the names Cuora galbinifrons bourreti, Cuora galbinifrons
galbinifrons and Cuora galbinifrons
picturata as well as the new names of Cuora bourreti, Cuora
galbinifrons and Cuora picturata.

One of the most frequent questions I
receive is how to differentiate Cuorapicturatafrom Cuorabourretii. With similar
plastronal markings as well as often subtle differences in conformation
and even similar facial markings in older specimens, these two separate
species can be confusing to tell apart. The following set of pictures is the
final key to differentiating the two species.

The key feature to tell
the two apart lies in the shape of the pupil. While it can be
difficult to visualize the heads of reticent specimens, with time and patience
(and maybe a few earthworms!), one is able to get a good look at the eyes.

The following picture is of a
Cuorabourretii.
Note the perfectlyround pupil in this animal. This is the
key differentiating feature.

Cuorabourretii
- ROUND pupil

Cuorapicturataon the other
hand, as noted in the two different specimens pictured below, always have an
indistinct papillary shape. It can vary from a squarish
shape to an indistinctly round appearance but it ALWAYS lacks the perfectly
round pattern of the Cuorabourretii (as well as the Cuoragalbinifrons).